Surah Al-A'raf, Ayah 46

Between these two groups – the companions of Paradise and the companions of Hell – is a partition called ‘al-A‘rāf’, meaning ‘the Heights’. On this partition are people whose good and bad actions are equal. They know the companions of Paradise by their signs, such as the light on their faces, and the companions of Hell by their signs, such as the darkness on their faces. These people of the partition call the companions of Paradise, honouring them, saying, ‘Peace be upon you’. They do not enter Paradise yet, but they hope to enter it through Allah’s mercy.

And between them will be a (barrier) screen and on Al-A'raf will be men, who would recognize all, by their marks. And they will call out to the dwellers of Paradise, "Peace be on you" and at that time they will not yet have entered it (Paradise), but they will hope to enter (it)(46)And when their eyes will be turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord! Place us not with the people who are wrongdoers. (47)

The People of Al-A'raf

After Allah mentioned that the people of Paradise will address the people of the Fire, He stated that there is a barrier between Paradise and the Fire, which prevents the people of the Fire from reaching Paradise. Ibn Jarir said, "It is the wall that Allah described,

فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ لَّهُ بَابٌ بَاطِنُهُ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ وَظَاهِرُهُ مِن قِبَلِهِ الْعَذَابُ

(So a wall will be put up between them, with a gate therein. Inside it will be mercy, and outside it will be torment.)[57:13] It is also about Al-A'raf that Allah said,

وَعَلَى الْأَعْرَافِ رِجَالٌ

(and on Al-A'raf will be men)." Ibn Jarir recorded that As-Suddi said about Allah's statement,

وَبَيْنَهُمَا حِجَابٌ

(And between them will be a screen) "It is the wall, it is Al-A'raf." Mujahid said, "Al-A'raf is a barrier between Paradise and the Fire, a wall that has a gate."

Ibn Jarir said, "Al-A'raf is plural for 'Urf, where every elevated piece of land is known as 'Urf to the Arabs."

As-Suddi said, "Al-A'raf is so named because its residents recognize (Ya'rifun) the people. Al-A'raf's residents are those whose good and bad deeds are equal, as Hudhayfah, Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn Mas'ud and several of the Salaf and later generations said." Ibn Jarir recorded that Hudhayfah was asked about the people of Al-A'raf and he said, "A people whose good and bad deeds are equal. Their evil deeds prevented them from qualifying to enter Paradise, and their good deeds qualified them to avoid the Fire. Therefore, they are stopped there on the wall until Allah judges them."

Ma'mar said that Al-Hasan recited this Ayah,

لَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا وَهُمْ يَطْمَعُونَ

(and at that time they will not yet have entered it (Paradise), but they will hope to enter (it).)

Then he said, "By Allah! Allah did not put this hope in their hearts, except for an honor that He intends to bestow on them." Qatadah said; "Those who hope are those among you whom Allah informed of their places." Allah said next,

وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَارُهُمْ تِلْقَاءَ أَصْحَابِ النَّارِ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظَّالِمِينَ

(And when their eyes will be turned towards the dwellers of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord! Place us not with the people who are wrongdoers.")

Ad-Dahhak reported that Ibn 'Abbas said, "When the people of Al-A'raf look at the people of the Fire and recognize them, they will supplicate, 'O Lord! Do not place us with the people who are wrongdoers.'"